Don't get sniffy

IT'S the time of year dreaded by all hayfever sufferers. As spring turns to summer, the red-rimmed, itching eyes, streaming nose and tickly throat are back with a vengeance. For those who suffer the most from the effects of the millions of tiny pollen grains hanging invisibly in the air, it can be even worse: drowsiness and a head permanently filled with what seems like cotton wool.

It's no way to spend what should be the most pleasant months of the year.

We went in search of remedies, speaking to a York pharmacist and a local complementary healer for alternative views on how to beat the sniffles.

The pharmacist

ANYBODY can suffer from hayfever if pollen levels are high enough, says Fulford pharmacist Michael Hepworth. Every summer he and his son Henry, who run Michael Hepworth Chemists in Main Street, Fulford, get people coming in complaining of a cold. Except that's not what it is at all.

"Some people think they are not the sort who will get hayfever," Michael says. "People will go out for a picnic and come back with a streaming nose and say they never get hayfever. But that's what it is. Sooner or later, if the pollen levels are high enough, everybody will get hayfever. It is just that some people are more susceptible, some people less."

Hayfever may affect different people at different times of year as different pollens escape into the air. The season often kicks off with Hazel Catkin, Michael says. At the moment, the pollens causing most trouble are May and Elder Flower. Soon, it will be other plants.

Because of this, you may find yourself suffering more at certain times of year than others - and even notice that somebody who was fine when your nose and eyes were streaming comes down with hayfever when you are feeling better.

So what can you do to escape the misery? Many years ago, his father's younger brother, Maurice Hepworth, used to suffer badly as a boy, Michael says. He lived in Hull at the time. "And his only retreat was to go down to the docks at Goole and go out to sea on a boat. There was no pollen in the air out at sea."

That's not the most practical solution, admittedly. But never fear. There are many more hayfever remedies available today than when his uncle was a lad, Michael says.

If your symptoms are confined to one area - your eyes or your nose, for example - there are a range of localised medicines you can take.

Steroid nose sprays can be effective if all you have is a runny nose, says Michael: while Otrivine eye drops may well provide effective short-term relief if you suffer from allergic conjunctivitis, which leaves your eyes red and itchy.

If you are a regular sufferer, there are other eye-drops which you can take as a preventative. Consult your pharmacist.

If you suffer from full-on hayfever with a range of symptoms, the first line of defence for many is antihistamines.

One of the earliest and best known is Piriton, Michael says. It is very effective, but unfortunately also tends to make you drowsy - not good if you're busy or have to drive.

There are a range of more modern anti-histamines, one-a-day tablets such as Cetirizine or Clarityn, which are non-drowsy. "They are good," Michael says. "But not as effective as Piriton."

For an alternative, Michael's son Henry, also a pharmacist, recommends trying the homeopathic remedy galphinia glauca. It has been scientifically demonstrated to work, and can be effective in up to 80 per cent of cases, he says - and may be a good choice for those taking other forms of medicine, because it won't interfere with them.

The important thing, says Michael, is to consult your pharmacist about the remedy that may be most appropriate for you - making sure you tell them about any other medicines you may be on when you do so.

To help you combat the misery of hayfever, the National Pharmaceutical Association has released lifestyle tips to help you fight back.

The complementary healer

Fifteen-year-old Simon Broadley has suffered from hayfever every year since he was eight. The worst months, he says, are July and August.

"My nose is streaming, and my eyes get really sore," he says. "When they're really itchy, I'm rubbing them all the time, and I can't even see out of them."

Over the years, his doctor prescribed various tablets, but they weren't particularly effective, he says. "They made me sleepy, and didn't really stop the hayfever."

Then, a couple of years ago, a friend of his mum suggested he try complementary therapy. He went along to the Healing Clinic in Fulford Cross for a consultation with acupuncturist June Tranmer.

After talking through his medical history and asking him about things like diet, she started him on a programme of acupuncture and acupressure.

"At first I found it a bit strange," Simon, from Fulford, admits. "But actually, it did help quite a lot. I still had hayfever after the first time, but I could tell it was making quite a difference."

He went for sessions twice in March, twice in April, twice in May and once in June - and that summer, he felt a lot better.

That was in 2001. Not surprisingly, he returned last year - when, in addition to acupressure, June tried out a technique drawn from kinesiology known as tapping.

It works by stimulating four acupuncture meridians that connect to the body's allergic response. June applies pressure to points in the forehead, cheeks, chest and ribs, as well as on the feet. "When you are allergic to things, it is because your immune system is over-reacting," she explains. "This helps it get back into balance."

It certainly seems to be working for Simon. Again, he admits the treatment seemed a little strange at first - but it was effective. So much so that until the beginning of June this year, he had no problems at all with hayfever.

"Then I started getting aggravated a bit and sneezing," he admits. "So I came back for another session and since then I've been fine. Just the odd bit of sneezing."

If tapping is not for you, however, practitioners at the Healing Clinic offer a range of other alternative therapies.

They include elder-flower, nettle and camomile tea, a favourite of medical herbalist Donald Purves; a Chinese herbal concoction known as Bi Yan Pian, prescribed by the clinic's Chinese herbalist Errol Lynch; loquat and fritillary cough syrup; and treatments such as aromatherpy, reflexology and homeopathy.

Different people may find different treatments effective, says June. "It is all about finding the right treatment for the right person. People often ask what is the right treatment for this illness? But it is really about which treatment is most appropriate for them."

Ring the Healing Clinic on 01904 679868

Hayfever survival guide

Stay indoors and keep your windows closed as much as possible when the pollen count is highest - early morning and late afternoon.

Check the pollen count daily; when it is very high, extra medication may be needed.

Wear sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes.

Apply a thin layer of vaseline just inside the nostrils to trap pollen.

If you're in the car, keep the windows closed.

Avoid walking near long or freshly mown grass - and get someone else to cut the lawn.

Wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of transferring pollen to your eyes.

If you've been out in the countryside, wash your hair and change your clothes when you come in.

Keep pets out of the bedroom - they can bring pollen in on their fur.

Updated: 09:26 Monday, June 23, 2003